What if you feel your volunteering will not be appreciated? Should you still do it?

Question

I am a volunteer with an arts program in which I will visit a child abuse shelter 1x a week and bring art projects for the kids to have fun with. The organization I work for has the realtionship with the specific shelter and matched me to them. I have called multiple times to set up an appointment to meet the shelter managers, and have never gottena call back. I finally got through to someone and they were rude asking what do I want and why was I calling? Only to find out she would not accomodate my schedule at all (I provided many options) and passed me on to someone who will be there those hours. Not at all the friendly, welcoming attitude I had pictured. I called the second person who sounded equally annoyed by my phone call, but did pick a time when I can come by. I almost feel like I am being a nuisance to them by volunteering my time with the children. I am feeling a bit down since they do not seem happy to have me, but don't want to complain to the organization. Any advice?

Answer 1

What a great way to bring some beauty into the lives of some who have had darkness and fear be the norm! Please don't take the rudeness to heart! The social workers or people who work in those places are usually people with the greatest hearts! Sometimes however they too feel unappreciated ! They have to deal with the ugliest types of situations and are in the front lines of a place that has new people in need every day! It wears on them! As it would with anyone!

Try again! And remember the reason for the volunteering is not to make you shine! It's to bring some hope and sunshine into someone elses life! Don't seek your reward here! It will be saved up for you for a later time!

If you still find it impossible to do what you want there, Ask the coordinator if there is somewhere else you can go! I'm sure there are no shortage of places that would appreciate your gift! Try an old folks home! Or retirement center. Tere are always boys clubs and girls clubs, or even scouts! Try try again! Put up a notice for free classes at your neighborhood art store or church notices!
Good Luck!

Answer 2

If YOU are not happy where you are, go somewhere else.

YOU need to be happy with the situation as well, because the clients will 'pick up' on your fustration with the organization, and that is so unfair to both you and the children.

Also, you want to have a good volunteer experiance so you will be able to continue this path or recommend to others how rewarding it is...

NOW with that being said, you will have 'those days' and run into 'those kind of people' who will really twist your bonnet the wrong way. If you think you can work it out, try it for a few more weeks. If it does not improve, talk to someone in charge. Be direct and to the point - and tell them exactly how you feel and what you feel the problem is...

They may not do anything about it, but at least you are being honest with yourself. After that, you can make a clearer decision based on whether or not this organization is worth your time and talents.

YES, you are doing this for the poor children...but remember, you have to be happy too. It is a three way street - and that is what makes a volunteer venture successful.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Well, maybe you need to remember that these people running the shelter are providing REAL assistance, not glam-type art stuff from feel-good volunteers who'll show up when it's convenient for them, do a little bit, hope to be appreciated for their "contribution", and then leave again, while the children are there for God knows how long.....
Sorry, did that sound like I was ragging on you? Well, again, maybe the actual shelter people are annoyed with do-gooders who want to make a show of doing "something" for the children, but are aggravated by ones who have a "schedule" to keep, and can't drop everything to help. So, maybe she could have been less rude, but then again, maybe the volunteer work you do rubs her the wrong way, and doesn't help the bottom line much.
Either way, it's the children that are important, not whether you're satisfied with your effort or not, or the shelter operator, either. Best thing to do would be to keep a neutral attitude, go check it out, see what the kids need or want, whether it would be appreciate by them, the parents, and the shelter personnel. There may be extenuating circumstances like the shelter has rats, no hot water, and your play visits aren't really contributing to basic services and the operators are just exasperated and annoyed. Just a thought. So, at least go once and try it, see what the situation is, and if you can make a difference on BOTH sides,maybe even help clean up the shelter, do some maintenance work, to take some burden off? Worth a shot, anyway. Don't give up if something isn't "easy", that's not what volunteering is about - it's making a SACRIFICE for others who have LESS than you do. THAT'S what you're there for. If you accomplish anything, it doesn't matter if no one appreciates either you or the work you did. It just has to matter to you and make a difference to one child. Good luck! - The Gremlin Guy -

Answer 4

You are (hopefully) not volunteering yourself on the basis of being appreciated, although it would certainly be more gratifying. If I were you, when you go to your appointment, I would mention that you were a little put off on the phone, and make sure that they actually DO need volunteers. If not maybe they can suggest somewhere else where you can volunteer your time. But don't make a big issue of it. Remember you're there to help others.

Answer 5

This is bad behavior. Report this behavior to your organization and suggest the reconsider thier affiliation with this organization. It seems to be poorly managed

There are many wonderful organizations that will appreciate your service and time. Contact the United Way in your community they can provide you with other options.

We give for the giving, not the accolades that come from it. So find another organization that will appreciate you.

Answer 6

Don't give them so much power over you and your willingness to serve others.You sound kinda young and maybe not toughened up by the world yet.
You've shifted the focus from giving of yourself to giving them a piece of your mind. You let them rent your head for free!!
I bet they go home and never think about You!
Remember who you r n why you're there and if it's too hard, try somewhere else like the emergency room; they really need help there and appreciate it. Gd luck

Answer 7

Just like a volunteer would do. Working for the other with nothing in return. When you give, you gave. That all!!! If you don't feel good or feel right of giving then it much be your wisdom tell you to get out of there.

Answer 8

Although I believe we should never volunteer so that we will be appreciated, I do believe that organizations shouls make people feel welcome. It could be that they are very busy and do not have time, though. I have worked in a shelter and although volunteers are a nice idea they can get under foot.

Answer 9

If u r volunteerin to help the children better their lives thats ok but if you r doin it 4 praise then this is the sort of dilema you will put yrself in

Answer 10

at first i thought u wanted glory for ur volunteer work, but i take it thats not the problem. but anyways, id say, who cares if the ppl who work want u to come? THE KIDS HAVE FUN (right) and isnt that all that matters???